On May 10, at 2:28 a.m. EDT (0628 UTC), SpaceX successfully launched its 900th Starlink satellite of the year, marking a significant achievement in its ongoing mission to expand global internet coverage. The launch, part of the Starlink 6-91 mission, added 28 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites to the existing constellation, which now includes over 7,400 satellites in low Earth orbit.
Despite facing challenging weather conditions in Central Florida, SpaceX managed to execute the launch from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The 45th Weather Squadron had predicted only a 55 percent chance of favorable weather during the launch window, raising concerns about a series of storms moving through the area. Meteorologists warned of potential disruptions due to thick cloud layers and anvils from ongoing storms to the west.
Fortunately, a break in the clouds allowed for a timely liftoff, ensuring that the Falcon 9 rocket could depart as scheduled. This mission represents SpaceX's 38th launch of the year, with Starlink satellites as the primary payload.
For this mission, SpaceX utilized the Falcon 9 first stage booster 1083, which has flown for the 11th time. This booster has a remarkable history, having been previously employed in missions such as Crew-8, Polaris Dawn, and Intuitive Machines' second Nova-C lander. In a display of precision and reliability, the booster successfully landed on the droneship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ approximately eight minutes after liftoff.
This successful landing marked the 108th booster landing for the 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' droneship and the 444th booster landing overall for SpaceX. Such milestones highlight SpaceX's commitment to reusability, which significantly lowers the cost of launches and contributes to the sustainability of space operations.
As SpaceX continues to innovate and expand its Starlink network, the company remains at the forefront of the burgeoning satellite internet industry, bringing high-speed internet access to underserved regions around the globe.
